ANALYSIS OF THE INTERACTION OF PARTICLES WITH A NON-PLANAR SOLIDIFYING INTERFACE

E. M. AGALIOTIS; M. R. ROSENBERGER; A. E. ARES; C. E. SCHVEZOV

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Simposio; THE 137th TMS ANNUAL MEETING EXHIBITION. Light Metals 2008; 2008

The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society

The results of model calculations for the interaction of particles with non-planar interfaces during solidification are presented. The model is based on finite element methods for the calculation of the shape of the solidifying interface which is modified by the presence of a solid particle, and for the drag forces resulting on the particle for the geometrical configuration of the system particle-melt-solid. The drag force on the particle is calculated for different conditions of steady pushing by the solid. The results are compared with the corresponding drag force for a planar interface and a particle at the same separation. Thermal conditions resulting in concave and convex interface shapes are considered. The results show that a concave interface generates higher drag forces than a planar interface and the opposite for a concave shape. The magnitude of the force could differ in as much as one order of magnitude.